Hi Lawrence,

I'm a researcher in the University of Glasgow's AFM group, particularly focused on the fabrication of novel AFM probes. I've had to deal with similar problems to yours when trying to wet etch already released individual probes. I have some ideas that might help you, but I don't have time to write them out at the moment. Please send a DM and perhaps we can arrange further discussion?

Otherwise, in brief;

- Try to do batch processes on AFM probes before they leave the wafer as they will be much easier to handle

- Try to do plasma processes instead of wet process where possible

- If you have to do wet processing, ensure that the probes enter and leave the liquid sideways so as to avoid snapping the cantilevers through surface tension

- Teflon is probably the cheapest thing that you could make a suitable holder from. I have also had some success getting alumina/zirconia machined for wet processing, but it was expensive and I'm not sure of its compatibility with piranha specifically. Teflon has some thermal expansion issues that will make clamping the probes difficult if you are using heated solution however.